Francis Whittemore (Pennsylvania, USA). Francis Whittemore (b. 1921) of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, USA, is a dean of the American Paperweight Renaissance. He is the subject of a full chapter in the classic book American Glass Paperweights and Their Makers, published in 1967. Like many glass artists of the period, he was first a scientific glass blower. Educated at Harvard University (which he paid for by blowing glass) he later became a college instructor in glass making. He worked hard to perfect the colors he wanted. Most of his paperweight work occurred during the early 1960s and 1970s. For several summers Frank was hired by Baccarat to come to their factory in France and train the glass workers in the finer details of paperweight making. He made his last paperweight in 1976. In my opinion, his work is artistic, precise, inspired, and belongs in any collection with weights by the greatest American glass artists.

PW1659. Francis Whittemore Crimp Rose Pedestal Weight. This is one of the largest and most perfect of Whittemore crimp flower weights. Stunning. Condition excellent. Signed at the base of the flower with his “W” cane in yellow circle. Pedestal base is 2 7/16 inches in diameter; globe is 2 7/16 inches; height is 3 1/8 inches; thirteen ounces [note: average weight is 6-8 ounces for Whittemore crimp roses].$475

PW1604. Francis Whittemore Crimp Rose Pedestal Weight. They are delicate and accurate and some of them, like this one, do what is best in a crimp rose – they have a graduated color in the petals, blue to white – this was the toughest part of making a crimp rose and was very difficult to get right. Beautiful fifteen petal crimp rose. Condition excellent. Signed at the base of the flower with his “W” cane in yellow circle. Pedestal base is 2 1/8 inches in diameter; globe is 2 1/16 inches; height is 2 3/4 inches; eight ounces.$450

PW1720. Francis Whittemore Crimp Rose Pedestal Weight. Whittemore’s finest red rose with nicely graduated color in the petals, frosty white to vivid red – this petal-tip part was the toughest part of making a crimp rose and was very difficult to get right. Beautiful fifteen petal crimp rose. Condition excellent. A top Whittemore red rose. Signed at the base of the flower with his “W” cane in yellow circle. Pedestal base is 2 inches in diameter; globe is 2 1/16 inches; height is 2 3/4 inches; eight ounces.$500

PW2567. Francis Whittemore - Museum Piece - Holly Bough on cranberry ground.Masterfully built, designed, and produced paperweight that demonstrates a high level of skill. Signature cane under leaf - a black W in yellow circle that he used from the late 60s to about 1975. Excellent condition. 2 1/2 inch diameter; 2 1/8 inches tall; eleven ounces. $170

One of Mr Whittemore’s earlier pieces. It has a signature cane: black W in red circle. He used these signature canes in the late 60s but not much since he didn’t like them. I’ve seen just two of these and both were on these holly weights. 2 11/16 inch diameter; 1 1/2 inches tall; nine ounces Excellent condition. $100

PW2402. Francis Whittemore Crimp Rose Pedestal Weight. I feel honored just to hold one of these in my hand. The skill, experience, and patience that went into its making were enormous, and the artist was a giant in the field. I rate Whittemore’s crimp roses right up by Charles Kaziun’s. They are delicate and accurate and some of them,like this one, do what is best in a crimp rose – they have a graduated color in the petals, yellow to green – this was the toughest part of making a crimp rose and was very difficult to get right. Beautiful fifteen petal crimp rose. Condition excellent. My personal favorite Whittemore rose – the rare beautiful color plus perfection make it a standout. Signed at the base of the flower with his “W” cane in yellow circle. Pedestal base is 2 inches in diameter; globe is 2 1/16 inches; height is 2 13/16 inches; eight ounces.$650